By Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10)

Avondale Heights extended its winning streak to seven games after running out 2-1 winners against Dandenong City at Avondale Heights Reserve on Saturday.

A goal apiece from Avondale’s Jason Principato and Zoran Pajic in the first interval put the league leader ahead at halftime, but a late 83rd-minute goal from Dandenong’s Anthony Jerez led to a nervy end for the home side.

Dandenong came out firing with the early momentum, but the first attempt on goal fell to Avondale’s Jason Principato, whose shot on goal was saved by former Melbourne Heart youth goalkeeper Marko Stevanja. 

Avondale’s strangehold on the game was beginning to show with Andrew Le Page’s header hitting the crossbar and fortunately for Dandenong, not eventuating in a goal.

That would prove to be a warning sign as minutes later Principato opened the scoring for Avondale after a fortuitous bounce off the post fell kindly to the attacker, who headed into the net. 

Dandenong was on the offensive with a cross into the box heroically headed out of danger by Avondale star defender Michele Crazia.

Another attempt on goal was thwarted by Dandenong’s inability to find composure in the box as Jerez’s cross found Goran Jozeljic, who rushed his touch to gift the ball to Avondale custodian Anthony Saric.

Dandenong’s efforts went unrewarded when Avondale doubled its lead through Le Page corner which found Pajic, who rocketed in his header to make it 2-0 at the break.

The second half began with a lull as Avondale’s control of the game waned, while Dandenong started the fresher of the two to dominate the second period.

With the majority of the ball in the second period, Dandenong was susceptible on the counter left shot-stopper Stevanja with plenty of work to do, but he thwarted in-form striker Opeksiy Khrapko on several occasions.

In the 80th minute, Khrapko was found one-on-one against Stevanja to seal all three points for the home side, but the Stevnanja came out big to save Dandenong from conceding a third.

Less than five minutes later Dandenong found itself at the other end through on goal, as Jerez pulled one back to put the home side on high alert.

In what would be the final Dandenong attack, substitute Mut Yual found himself in a unique position to equalise after an uncharacteristic error from Crazia, but a big save from Avondale shot-stopper Anthony Saric meant the home side would record another impressive win.

Amazingly, Avondale Heights also kept intact its three-year unbeaten home record.

Coach Andrew Barbieri wasn’t getting too carried away with the seven-game winning streak.

“To be honest we’re just taking it week to week, we have to front up next week against Box Hill,” Barbieri said.

“We’re new to these levels so every week presents a new challenge, and we look forward to every week coming and putting on a bit of a show.”

Dandenong City’s coach Ivan Duzel said his side should have come away with a point after its dominant second half.

“At the end of the day, second half we had a much better showing than [Avondale],” Duzel said.

“I believe [Dandenong] should’ve come away with a better result than we finished.”

MATCH DETAILS

Avondale Heights 2 (Principato 23’, Pajic 30’) defeated Dandenong City 1 (Jerez 83’) at Avondale Heights Reserve [HT: 2-0]

Avondale Heights: 1. Anthony SARIC, 31. Michele CRAZIA, 6. Anthony STRANO, 15. Zoran PAJIC, 33. Dean CAMPELJ, 10. Burakhan KOCA, 8. Bosin GEORGEVSKI, 11. Bale MICOVSKI (14. Daniel SLOVACEK, 77’), 19. Jason PRINCIPATO, 7. Andrew LE PAGE (5. Andrew SACCHETTA, 83), 34. Opeksiy KHRAPKO (3. Phillip LLOYD, 90’).

Unused subs: 20. John SCOLLO

Yellow cards: 33. Dean CAMPELJ 52’

Red cards: Nil

Dandenong City: 1. Marko STEVANJA, 6. John CARROLL, 10. Sean SEAVILL, 22. Andres JEREZ, 11. Raymond LAX (21. Danijel BUHIC, 58’), 8. Dario MATKOVIC, 19. Nicholas GLAVAN, 4. Steven TOPALOVIC, 23. Goran JOZELJIC, 9. Damien MISKULIN, 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC (17. Mut YUAL, 73’).
Unused subs: 31. Dennys MARTIN (GK), 15. Ivica BAHA, 5. Alex ROJAS.

Yellow cards: 23. Goran JOZELJIC 40’, 4. Steven TOPALOVIC 45’, 22. Andres JEREZ 53’

Red cards: Nil